Believe it or not, there are still a significant number of Detroit voters that would vote Kwame Kilpatrick right back into office from his jail cell if they could. Speaking with Detroit voters at local debates, it’s clear that many still identify themselves as Kilpatrick supporters. If the new candidates aren’t careful they could lose a lot of votes trashing Kwame.
 
So far in the political race it’s showed. No candidate has used Kilpatrick’s criminal actions as leverage in the campaign.

In fact, some candidates have defended Kwame. Businessman David Bing defended his support of Kilpatrick to talk show host Reggie Reg on the Sunday morning radio program on WHTD 102.7 FM “Street Talk.” When asked if he was “in bed with the Kilpatrick administration,” Bing was quick to defend his position. ”[Kilpatrick] did a lot of good things for Detroit. I supported him and I’m not sorry for that,” Bing said.

Some including Bing and Warren Evans have hired members of Kilpatrick’s administration to help run their campaign. Why? Because Kilpatrick will always hold a place in the hearts of many Detroit voters. They most likely remember the beginning, when in 2000 Kilpatrick ran a campaign from the streets rapping with youngsters at local clubs, playing basketball with other young men in Detroit’s Dexter-Linwood area known for its gang violence and proving himself to be a bright young leader in the community, a stark difference from then Mayor Dennis Archer.

One voter at a mayoral debate last week at Fellowship Chapel echoed that a pro-Kwame sentiment. ”I’m undecided so far,” said John Neals, 34. “Really, I’m a Kilpatrick supporter.”